Lawyer Hourly Pay in Charlottesville, VA: $75.22 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a lawyer working in Charlottesville, VA runs $75.22 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $156,453 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 23-1011). Weighted against Charlottesville's regional price level (BEA RPP 99.1, 1% below national), each hour of work buys what $75.86 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $93,870 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Charlottesville, Virginia, the projected median hourly pay for lawyers in 2026 is $75.22, which is slightly below the national median of $80.37. This figure provides meaningful insight for those considering part-time or per-diem work. For instance, a lawyer working three days a week could expect to earn a significant amount while enjoying a more flexible schedule typically found in environments like law firm partner offices or government attorney cubicles. The hourly range for legal professionals in the area varies significantly, with entry-level positions starting at $38.14 and top earners reaching up to $145.75, emphasizing the diverse opportunities that exist across different legal sectors.
Lawyer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $38.14 | $305.14 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $49.47 | $395.77 |
| Median (P50) | $75.22 | $601.73 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $95.85 | $766.82 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $145.75 | $1166.02 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Charlottesville
Based on $75.22/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $75.22/hr, a lawyer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Charlottesville, VA can expect to earn approximately $156,450 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $90,260. With a cost-of-living index of 99.15 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Charlottesville.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Charlottesville
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $3,008.66 | $13,038 | $156,450 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,805.20 | $7,823 | $93,870 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,203.46 | $5,215 | $62,580 |
Compare Esq Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Lawyer (Charlottesville) | $75.22 |
| Paralegal (National Avg) | $29.95 |
| Judge / Magistrate (National Avg) | $68.41 |
| Arbitrator / Mediator (National Avg) | $38.60 |
| Court Reporter (National Avg) | $30.10 |
Lawyers in Charlottesville, VA earn a median of $156,453 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.41% lower than the national median of $167,174 and 17.60% above the Virginia state average of $133,038.
Lawyer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $75.22/hr = $93,870/year (purchasing power: $94,679).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $156,450/year (purchasing power: $157,798).
CoL index: 99.146 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$55.32/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$71.84/hr
2026 Current Est.
$75.22/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+42.3%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Lawyers in Charlottesville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.70% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $55.32/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $57.11/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $61.39/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $63.90/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $67.48/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $63.58/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $71.84/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $75.22/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $78.75/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for lawyers in Charlottesville grew 29.9% from $55.32/hr (2019) to $71.84/hr (2025). At a 4.70% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $78.75/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem lawyers can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Charlottesville metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 4.70% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Working as an Hourly Lawyer in Charlottesville
The potential earnings for a lawyer working part-time in Charlottesville can be quite lucrative, especially given the flexible nature of legal work. A lawyer working 24 hours a week would see annual earnings significantly lower than full-time counterparts, but still notable, depending on the specific hourly commitments and roles they pursue. Many part-time lawyers may take on per-diem contracts, which typically offer lower rates of $25-$50 per hour, while more specialized contract work can command much higher rates of $200-$500 per hour, depending on expertise. Furthermore, hourly rates tend to fluctuate based on employer type, with BigLaw firms offering notably higher pay against the backdrop of demanding hours, while mid-size firms and government positions may provide lower pay but often come with additional benefits such as health insurance. Negotiating an hourly rate, particularly within the legal community in Charlottesville, requires understanding the local market dynamics and aligning personal needs with career goals.
More salary data for Charlottesville, VA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Related Pages
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Written by Alexandra Chen, JD
Career Analyst
Alexandra has 10 years of experience in corporate law. She specializes in mergers and acquisitions. Alexandra works at a mid-sized law firm in New York City.
Methodology & Data Source
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 4.70% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for lawyers in Charlottesville. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 5-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.70%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for lawyers (SOC 23-1011).
Compiled and verified by Alexandra Chen, JD, a licensed lawyer with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov